Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

MILs Turn Sons’ Weddings Into Bridal Showdowns, Leave Guests Speechless
Groomu2019s mom in a wedding dress with pearl necklace holding hands, highlighting wedding dress sleeve details.
70

MILs Turn Sons’ Weddings Into Bridal Showdowns, Leave Guests Speechless

32

ADVERTISEMENT

The wedding ceremony is a momentous occasion for the bride and groom. It’s a day they should be cherishing forever as they celebrate a milestone moment in their lives.

Ideally, the focus should be solely on the couple, not on anyone else. But as you will read in the twostories below, the groom’s mom can sometimes steal the spotlight and ruin what could’ve been a memorable day. 

In both instances, the entitled mothers showed up at the ceremony looking like they were about to walk down the aisle. Read through and see whether you feel disappointment or secondhand embarrassment first. 

RELATED:

    The last thing anyone wants during their wedding is for someone to cause a scene

    Image credits: Pressmaster / Envato (not the actual photo)

    In this first story, a mom proudly attended her son’s wedding wearing a white, floor-length gown with a veil

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Wavebreakmedia / Envato (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The entitled mom continued her antics during the reception

    Image credits: CodPhysical6308

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Conflict between the parents and the couple is usually rooted in “unspoken assumptions”

    In that first story, the mom felt it would be completely fine to wear what could easily be mistaken as a wedding dress. She believed she wasn’t doing anything wrong because her dress had “more sleeves” on it. She also thought it was acceptable to act as if it were her big day. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    These “unspoken assumptions” are a leading cause of conflict between parents and the soon-to-be newlyweds, according to professional bridal coach Kara Ghassabeh

    “To each person, ‘the right thing’ seems so obvious, they don’t realize it needs a conversation until after feelings are hurt. It’s the unexpected emotions that underpin these choices and fuel conflict,” Ghassabeh told Brides, adding that parents often underestimate how much their presence and identity are tied to the ceremony. 

    Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

    It wasn’t clear in either story whether the mothers of the groom provided any form of financial support. But if it were the case, whoever paid for the wedding may feel a sense of entitlement, like they have the upper hand. 

    “When parents are paying, they often feel like parents, wanting to give advice and make decisions like they have throughout their kids’ childhood,” etiquette expert Diane Gottsman said in the same Brides interview.  

    ADVERTISEMENT

    People in the comments didn’t hold back with their reactions, some pointing to a possible mental illness

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Tom Pumford / Unsplash / (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The same thing happened in story number two, but here, the mom insisted it was their family “tradition” 

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Alexander Mass / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Seemingly not content with her actions at the ceremony, she went on to impose her presence at the reception

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: CompanyMediocre2436

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Approaching the situation with empathy and calmness ensures the day isn’t ruined

    If you’re in the same tough spot as the couples in both stories, flipping out may be an instinctive response. However, such a reaction could ruin a day you’ve both been looking forward to. 

    This is why responding calmly with empathy would be the best way to go, according to psychologist and marriage specialist Bonnie Maslin, Ph.D

    “Don’t act in kind but in kindness. You can’t go wrong with empathy,” Maslin said in an interview with Glamour

    Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Some people may also avoid confronting the erring person out of fear of escalating the situation. However, Maslin says the opposite is true. According to her, allowing the individual to say their piece on why they were acting the way they were may help avoid a worse episode fueled by alcohol later in the night. 

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Neither story indicated how the couples reacted, but hopefully, they were able to take things in stride without allowing the moment to ruin their day. 

    As expected, commenters weren’t pleased, as some shared similar experiences

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Read less »
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    What do you think ?
    Paul C
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't this exactly what bridesmaids with glasses of red wine are for????

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Mine has more sleeves."? How many arms do you have, lady?

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The plural is mothers-in-law. One presumes the fathers-in-law weren't there to tell them they were being psychotic.

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably divorced the harpies years ago.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Paul C
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't this exactly what bridesmaids with glasses of red wine are for????

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Mine has more sleeves."? How many arms do you have, lady?

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The plural is mothers-in-law. One presumes the fathers-in-law weren't there to tell them they were being psychotic.

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably divorced the harpies years ago.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    Go to:
    Back to Top
    Homepage
    Trending
    ADVERTISEMENT